tvOS 26: An Immersive Upgrade for Apple TV

tvOS 26 has been officially introduced by Apple at WWDC 2025, featuring a significant visual overhaul and introducing robust new functionalities designed to enhance the Apple TV experience, making it more engaging, social, and user-friendly.

A Fresh Coat of Paint

Cinematic poster art now incorporates Liquid Glass effects, showcasing a broader array of shows and films on-screen, facilitating easier discovery of viewing options. Improved profile-switching ensures that personalised Watchlists and Apple Music playlists are accessible with just a tap. Upon waking, Apple TV can automatically switch to the user’s profile, streamlining the entertainment experience right from settling in.

tvOS 26 also simplifies app logins, resulting in quicker sign-ins and reducing hassles, especially when setting up a new device.

Turn Your iPhone into a Mic with Apple Music Sing

Sing-along features are undergoing a major enhancement. With Apple Music Sing in tvOS 26, users can transform their iPhones into handheld microphones for the Apple TV. Voices are amplified, and real-time lyrics illuminate the big screen alongside visual effects. Multiple iPhones can participate, allowing friends to queue tracks or send emoji reactions on the screen. Additionally, the new Lyrics Translation and Pronunciation features assist users in singing along to international hits, even if they are not fluent in the language.

FaceTime Gets More Personal

Apple is also enhancing FaceTime on the big screen. Contact Posters appear during calls, providing a consistent visual identity from iOS. FaceTime Live Captions have been expanded to support six new languages: French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish, employing on-device intelligence. Audio and call notifications will now display on-screen for the active profile, with the option to take calls using linked HomePods or iPhones.

More Scenic, More Personal

tvOS 26 introduces Aerial screen savers from India, featuring stunning views of Goa and Kerala. Users can now select which categories of screen savers they wish to display or hide. Apple TV also empowers users to set any AirPlay-enabled speaker as a permanent audio output, granting greater flexibility in home entertainment setups.